THRESHOLDS: CONTEMPORARY DESIGN FROM THE NETHERLANDS
June 27–November 5, 1996
An exhibition of contemporary Dutch design, ranging from home furnishings to
mailboxes, is on view at The Museum of Modern Art from June 27 to November 5,
1996. Organized by Paola Antonelli, Associate Curator, Department of
Architecture and Design, Thresholds: Contemparary Design from the Netherlands
comprises 36 works created in the past ten years by such designers as Gijs
Bakker, Hella Jongerius, Ninaber/Peters/Krouwel, Tejo Remy, and Henk Stallinga
and introduces their work to the United States for the first time in a museum
environment.
Ms. Antonelli writes in the brochure accompanying the exhibition, "Fueled by a
spreading preoccupation with the environment and other social and political
issues, today's design is valued for its economy, simplicity, and sensibility.
Designers have embraced this stimulating intellectual exercise and have begun
to produce objects that are durable, reusable, and useful....Examples of these
trends can be found all over the world, but a group of designers from the
Netherlands has in recent years responded to these expectations with a
unanimity that merits particular attention. Many of them celebrate ingenuity
and economy in their work, transforming these qualities into a coherent
minimalist aesthetic. Their objects' apparent modesty has made them emblematic
of what political correctness in design should be."
The fourth in the Museum's Thresholds series, which is devoted to thematic
explorations of contemporary issues in architecture and design,
Thresholds: Contemparary Design from the Netherlands
is made possible by a generous grant
from The Mondriaan Foundation, Amsterdam. Additional support has been provided
by The Contemporary Arts Council of The Museum of Modern Art.
Dutch Design in the Garden Café
Several designers included in this
exhibition are also showcased in the Museum's cafeteria facing The Abby Aldrich
Rockefeller Sculpture Garden. Redesigned in October 1995, the interior of the
Garden Café features chairs, tables, lighting, and other fixtures and
furnishings by prominent Dutch designers, as well as a display of contemporary
Dutch graphic design, posters, and books.
For further information or photographic materials, please contact Uri Perrin,
Department of Communications, 212/708–9757.
